Framing Starts As Dry Conditions Help NC Project Out

The dry conditions wreaking havoc on California ironically are helping the Bridge Street Project, Nevada City's largest community arts construction in nearly 150 years.

With little to no rain days slowing construction of the nearly $4 million home for KVMR and Nevada Theatre expansion, Landmark Construction --the general contractor -- says work could be completed by late August.

Diane McIntire, the project's owner's representative, says the framing contractor has moved in scaffolding this week in preparation to begin work in back of the current Nevada Theatre in downtown Nevada City.

"In the next several weeks, there will be a combination of wood and metal framing work," McIntire explained. "When the framing starts, it's really going to look like something."

With the foundation laid in mid-January, the building is finally starting to take shape -- much to the smiles of both the Nevada City radio station and theater officials.

"You really are starting to get a sense of how it fits on the site and how it fits against the theater building," beamed McIntire. "With the building rising out of the ground, we'll start seeing excitement about the project as people get a realistic idea of what this is going to mean for downtown Nevada City."

McIntire is working with contractors on behalf of both KVMR and the Nevada Theatre as well as the community at large.

"We got lucky with the shortage of rain," said McIntire. "If there's a silver lining (in the drought), it's good for KVMR."

Among other things, some dry rot in the back wall of the Nevada Theater -- and a pesky, unexpected buried heating oil tank -- slowed things down originally.

Now, however, construction is starting to roll. In fact, some work is even being done inside the old Nevada Theatre, preparing it to connect to the project.

"All the finishes have been designed and ordered as well for the new building," added McIntire.

Then there was the siding issue, now resolved and approved by city officials.

"A lot of the of the siding we took off the old sheds (on the property) turned out not to be usable," noted McIntire. "But we were fortunate to get much more used, recycled siding, thanks to Keith Robertson of Sons Development."

And McIntire also noted she's looking forward to the antennae tower artwork that'll grace the structure.

"It's the signature piece and the landmark for the new building," she said with a smile.

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Public fundraising for the new home for 89.5 FM and the Nevada Theater expansion continues.

The building is the largest community arts project since the adjoining Nevada Theater in 1865.